Girl Boss vs. Trad Wife: Forced to Choose | Emma Waters

From Problematic Women by The Daily Signal

March 21, 2026 · 38 min

About this episode

Emma Waters discusses the pressures on women to choose between being a 'girl boss' or a 'trad wife' and shares principles from her book 'Lead Like Jael.'

Are you a girl boss or a trad wife? Maybe somewhere in between? Seems like society is pressuring women to pick a side instead of learning to “Lead Like Jael.” Emma Waters, a policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation's Center for Technology and the Human Person, joins "Problematic Women" us to discuss “seven timeless principles for today’s women of faith," principles she details in her new book, “Lead Like Jael.” For decades, the feminist movement has lied to women, selling boss babe corporate work as the “American dream” instead of being in the home and fostering the next generation. On the flip side, many women are told they can’t be anything more than a stay-at-home mom. It’s important to follow the calling God has put on our hearts, have discernment, be guided by courage and convictions, and equip ourselves to make an impact in our homes and the world, Waters contends. On today’s episode, we also discuss the importance of advocating for women’s health and the progress being made in conservative spaces on Capitol Hill. It’s not taboo to talk about the fact that birth control has been prescribed to millions of women in America as a pill Band-Aid, one-size-fits-all, and now we…

People in this episode

Guest: Emma Waters

Topics covered

feminism
women's health
faith
leadership
trad wife
girl boss

Keywords

American dream
birth control
infertility crisis
women of faith

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Lead Like Jael

Books & works: Problematic Women, Lead Like Jael

Places: America